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FDA Asked to Regulate Nanotechnology
WillAffleckUW writes "According to the Washington Post, a coalition of environmental and consumer groups has asked the FDA to look at regulating nanotechnology. They point out that there are more than 100 nanotechnology products and that nanoparticles can penetrate cells and tissues, migrate through the body and brain and cause biochemical damage."
"Or better yet, how about the government just stay the eff out of things for a change and let's see what happens, and deal with issues as they arise?"
Yes, this is a wonderful idea. Let's just sit back and let unrestrained industry spit out whatever they want and just wait and deal with a nanotechnology disaster when it happens.
"We at NanoCorp, Ltd. would like to express our sincere regret for those whose nasal passages exploded due to our faulty nanothingamajig. We are currently under Chapter 11 protection, so don't bother sueing us. Also, we kind of don't know how to stop that whole self-replication thing, sorry. So, you know, good luck with that. We'll be in this airtight chamber, let us know when you've figured it out. Again, our heartfelt sympathies."
there is no need to sign your posts. this isn't usenet. your username is right there above your post. stop it.
"If you want to kill off an industry, the best way to do so is to regulate it the way the medical industry and the aviation industry are regulated."
Yeah, that's good point, the medical and airline industries are really hurting these days.
there is no need to sign your posts. this isn't usenet. your username is right there above your post. stop it.
"Or better yet, how about the government just stay the eff out of things for a change and let's see what happens, and deal with issues as they arise?"
Yeah let's just let people start dying before we start taking even the most basic precautions...
People at the FDA are just scared that Alex Krycek is going to inject one of them with some nano-bots and then kill them with his PDA unless they do as he says.
infested with jello like fishes no melotron wishes
If we aren't smart enough to have at least some vague notion what the potential danger areas might be, then maybe we shouldn't really be tinkering with this.
When you build something do you wait until you lose one eye before you put goggles on the other one? Do you wait until you lose fingers on the table saw before you put a fence on it? I'm pretty sure we can find some obviously dangerous practices when making substances that can penetrate cell walls that should be regulated.
there is no need to sign your posts. this isn't usenet. your username is right there above your post. stop it.
Which is what I would hope the first step of the FDA would be.
The idea that we can't know what could go wrong and that we should just sit back until something bad happens is what I have a problem with. That and the trust people have that industry won't produce anything harmful if left to it's own devices.
there is no need to sign your posts. this isn't usenet. your username is right there above your post. stop it.